Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth has questioned if Abhimanyu Easwaran is dropped from India’s squad after his father made strong comments in the media. Easwaran was not included in India’s two-match squad against the West Indies.
The right-handed Bengal cricketer received a maiden call-up back in 2022 but he is yet to make his Test debut. Easwaran was part of India’s squad for the five-match Test series against Australia and England. Despite Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s retirement, Easwaran didn’t get his chances on the England tour.
After the completion of England tour, Easwaran’s father had reacted strongly on his son’s continuous snub. However, Srikkanth noted that chief selector Ajit Agarkar pointed out Easwaran was not needed as a reserve opener in home conditions.
Srikkanth said on his YouTube Channel, “I feel bad for Abhimanyu Easwaran. I think his father made some strong statements (after England) and maybe that’s why they’ve dropped him now. But Ajit Agarkar’s reasoning on not needing a reserve opener at home was fair.”
The former attacking opener said the selectors were right in dropping Karun Nair from the squad after he could only manage 205 runs in four Test matches against England.
He added, “Karun Nair has spoke his mind out after the squad announcement about scoring a half century in the final Test in England. But the truth is Karun Nair did not do well in England. In all fairness, nothing wrong in dropping him.”
Adding further, Srikkanth expressed his surprise on Nitish Kumar Reddy’s selection in the Test squad. Reddy had failed to deliver with the bat on the England tour, averaging only 11.25 in two matches.
“I am very surprised that Nitish Kumar Reddy is still in the team. Not sure if he’s going to play as the allrounder. Because he got that hundred in Australia, he is probably sticking on. Apart from these, there are no surprises. Though I am not sure how Devdutt Padikkal got back into the squad. Not sure who he has come in for, maybe Karun Nair,” said Srikkanth.
The opening Test against the West Indies will be played at Ahmedabad from October 2 onwards.
